X-ray apparatus



July 9, 1963 H. E. KoERNr-:R ETAL 3,096,976

X-RAY APPARATUS Filed NOV 5. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jl Fig. 2

July 9, 1963 H. E. KoERNl-:R ETAL 3,096,976

x-RAY APPARATUS Filed NOV. 5, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O 3,096,976 X-RAY APPARATUS Harry E. Koerner, Catonsville, and Eugene P. Thomas,

Baltimore, Md., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Penn- Sylvania Filed Nov. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 150,063 Claims. (Cl. 269-323) The present invention relates to X-ray apparatus and more particularly relates to an X-ray tilt table of the type which will tilt in either direction from a normally horizontal position to and between oppositely-facing vertical positions.

In order to permit an X-ray table of a particular desirable length to tilt to 90 positions about a xed horizontal axis, which is a convenient way of mounting the table to accommodate such tilting movement, prior art tilt tables have been proposed which provide for translation of the table relative to the xed axis during tilting to thereby enable the ends 'of the table to clear the floor during movement to the 90 positions. Such prior art tilt tables, while desirable by virtue of their basic kinematic simplicity, are nevertheless rendered somewhat less desirable due to the nature of their translation producing mechanism in the rack-and-pinion form which employ costly and complex castings and machined parts; the disposition and bulk of their tilt-axisdeiining column or columns which tend to obstruct the oor area around the table; the disposition of the driving motor in places which either obstruct the floor area around the table or occupy valuable space within; etc.

In view of the foregoing remarks, it is a prime object of the present invention to provide an improved two-way 90 tilt X-ray table of the translating-While-rotating type.

In accord with the preceding object, the present invention resides in the provision of such an X-ray table in which the means for supporting the table and delining its xed tilt axis, together with the driving mechanism for the table, alfords a substantially obstruction-free lloor area entirely around the table, and in which the means for effecting tilting and of translation of the table relative to the fixed tilt axis are in a simplied form which allords a high degree of reliability and cost reduction.

Other `objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken n connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a three-dimensional view showing the front, left end and top of the X-ray table embodying the invention as it appears in its normally horizontal position;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of the rear of such table when in a 90 tilted position; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic, exploded representation of the novel table when horizontal and as viewed from the rear, showing construction details of the invention embodied therein.

Referring to the several figures of the drawing, the present invention generally comprises a fixed, floor base assembly 1 having spaced-apart standards 2 between which the table body 3 is disposed `and is pivotally and translatabl-y supported. The base assembly 1, in any position of the table, is free of -any protrusion lalong the floor extending outwardly beyond the standards 2, :the table body 3 or spottilm tower (not shown), on which operating personnel or patients might trip or otherwise become obstructed to movement. The table body 3 is pivotally `and translatably mounted on the standards 2 by roller bearing members 4 cooperable with a longitudinal roller guide member 4a at each side and carried by a cradle 5 rockably supported by `the standards for rotary movement about a xed axis 2S.

Longitudinal or translational movement of table 3 3,096,976 Patented July 9, 1963 along the cradle 5 is eilected by a reversible motor-andgear-reducer assemblage 6 carried on ya channel-shaped bottom cross member 7 of the cradle 5, through the medium of a sprocket wheel 8, a translation chain 9 at the rear of the table, and a similar chain 10 at the front of the table which is driven by the rear chain 9 via sprocket wheels 11 at opposite ends of drive shafts 12 passing transversely through th-e table 3 at its opposite ends. Opposite ends of each of the translation `chains 9 and 16 are anchored respectively -at rear and front of the table 3 by anchors 13 and 14 carried by spacedapart vertical-plane portions 15 and 16 of the cradle 5.

Tilting movement of the table 3 is eiected by the motorized chain-driven translational movement of the table body 3 relative to the rockably-mounted cradle 5, by virtue of an arrangement of tilt chains 17 and 18 at the rear of the table which are anchored .at 19 and 20 respectively to opposite ends of the table and extend in opposite `directions around a segmental member 21, secured to vertical-plane member 15 of the rockable cradle 5, to a fixed anchor 22 on the fixed llo-or base assembly 1. In operation, to effect tilting of the table 3 from a normally horizontal position in which it is shown in FIG. l, for example, to such as a position in either direction, FIG. 2 for example, the reversible motor-and-reduction gear assemblage 6 will be brought into operation for the desired direction of rotation of the sprocket wheel 8. Such rotation of the sprocket wheel 8 will move the rear translation chain 9 therepast; such chain being directed around the sprocket wheel 8 via a pair of chain guide rollers 23 suitably mounted on portion 1S of the rockable cradle 5. As such chain 9 is thus driven around the sprocket wheel 8 it causes a longitudinal pulling force on the table 3 at `a respective sprocket wheel 11 as the loop of chain 9, extending longitudinally of the table and around such sprocket from anchor 13 to sprocket wheel 8, is caused to shorten. A force multiplication of twoto-one results from this arrangement.

Corresponding movement of the front translation chain 10 is effected via sprocket wheels f11 and shafts 12, and a corresponding longitudinal pulling force is exerted on the table at the front by a respective sprocket 11. This produces a translational movement of the table 3 relative to the cradle 5 which is rockable about the fixed axis v 25 deiined by aligned shaft members 26 journaled in the upright standards 2 of the fixed, Hoor-mounted base 1.

As the table 3 is thus caused to move translationally with respect to the rockable cradle 5 and along the rollers 4 thereof, a pulling force will be exerted on one of the tilt chains 17 or 118 by a respective anchor 19 or 20y on the table according to the direction of such translational movement, which will cause such tilt chain, as anchored at its opposite end at 22 to the xed base 11, to unwind from the segmental member 21 and effect turning movement of the cradle 5 about axis 25 which in turn causes corresponding tilting of the table 3 about such axis through the medium of the longitudinally-spaced-apart rollers 4 on the cradle 5 and roller guide members 4a at front and rear of the table. Axis 25 being located closer to the tlat edge 30 of segmental member 2li aligned with anchors 19 and 20 than to the periphery of the curved edge 31 of such member, the resultant turning moments on member 21 are such that as cable 17 unwinds, member 21 turns clockwise as viewed in FIG. 3. When cable 18 is pulled to the .right at .anchor 20, member 21 turns counterclockwise. Chain guide rollers 33 .about the periphery of curved edge 31, facilitate the tilting action of chains 17 and 18 on member 21.

Any degree of tilt up to 90 in either direction may thus 'be obtained, since the translational movement of the table 3 relative to the tloor is upward and enables the end of such table to clear the door during seeking and obtaining either of its 90 tilt positions.

While there has been shown and described what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the invention, modifications thereto will readily occur to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is not desired, therefore, that the invention necessarily be limited to the specic arrangements shown and described except as falling within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. An X-ray tilt table comprising a xed Hoor-mounted base having spaced-apart vertical standards; a` cradle means dispo-sed between said standards for rotary movement about a horizontal axis, said cradle means having spaced-apart vertical-plane cradle members journaled at their one end to the uppermost ends of said standards, respectively, and a connecting cradle member extending horizontally between and rigidly secured to opposite ends of said vertical-plane cradle members, one of said vertical plane cradle members being a T-shaped cradle member having cradle arms extending perpendicularly of said horizontal axis at opposite sides, respectively, and the other of said vertical-plane cradle members being a segmental cradle member having a frustrated straight-edge cradle portion parallel to and aligned with the arms of said T- shaped cradle member and a circular-edge cradle portion extending therefrom in the direction of the aforesaid connecting cradle member; rotary bearing means at opposite ends of said cradle arms and of said straight-edge cradle portion; an X-ray table body disposed between said vertical-plane cradle members in longitudinally-rollable longitudinally-spaced-apart support along its front and back by said rotary bearing means; motorized chain driving means mounted on said connecting cradle member; a pair of translation sprocket wheels at each end of said table body secured to opposite ends of a respective shaft passing transversely through said table body adjacent to its top surface; a first translation chain at the rear of said table body anchored to said segmental cradle member to form opposite loops extending longitudinally along said table body around respective ones of said translation sprocket Wheels and joined at a common driven connection with said motorized chain driving means; a second translation chain at the front of said table body anchored to said T-shaped cradle member to form opposite loops extending longitudinally along said table body around respective ones of said translation sprocket wheels; and a pair of tilt chains anchored to opposite ends of said table body, respectively, and extending in opposite directions over the upper straight-edge portion of said segmental cradle member and around opposite sides of its circularedge portion to an anchor on said fixed door-mounted base.

2. An X-ray tilt table comprising a xed floor-mounted base having spaced-apart tvertical standards, a cradle means disposed between and pivotally supported by said standards for rotary movement about a horizontal axis, an X-ray table body translationally supported at its front and rear by said cradle means at longitudinally spaced apart locations, reversible motorized translation chain driving means carried by said cradle means, translation chain means anchored to said cradle means, driven by said chain driving means, and connected to said table body to effect translational movement thereof relative to said cradle means in either direction, and tilt chain means anchored to said floor-mounted base and to said table body to eiect tilting of said table body responsively to such translational movement.

3. An X-nay tilt table comprising a fixed floor-mounted base having spaoedmpart vertical standards, a cradle means disposed between rand pivotally supported by said standards for rotary movement .about Ia horizontal axis, an X-r'ay table -body translationally supported fat its front `and rear by said cradle means at longitudinally spaced apart locations, reversible motorized translation chain driving means carried by said cradle means, translation chain means Ianchored to said cradle means, driven by said chain driving means, and connected to said table body to effect translational movement thereof relative to said cradle means in either direction, a segmental member secured to said cradle means, `and tilt chain means anchored to said table body 'and to said floor-mounted base and cooperable with said segmental member to effect turning movement of said cradle means responsively to the yaforesaid translational movement of said table body rel-ative to said cradle means.

4. An X-ray tilt table comprising a fixe-d floor-mounted base having spaced-apart vertical standards, a cradle means disposed between and pivotally supported by said standards for notary movement about a horizontal axis, an X-ray table body translationally supported at its front Y fand rear by said cradle means at longitudinally spaced Iapart locations, reversiblev motorized translation chain driving means, translation chain means anchored to said cradle means, driven by said chain driving means, and connected to said table body to effect translational movef ment thereof relative to: said cradle means in either direction, and til-t chain means. anchored to said table body and to said Hoor-mounted base to effect tilting of said table body responsively to such translational movement.

5. An X-ray tilt table comprising ,a xed floonmounted base having spaced-apart vertical standards, a cradle means disposed between land pivotally supported by said standards `for rotary movement about 1a horizontal axis, an X-ray table body translationally supported lat its front and rear by said cradle means lat longitudinally spaced apart locations, reversible motorized translation chain driving means, translation chain means driven by said chain driving means, anchored to said cradle means, and connected to said table body to effect translational movement thereof relative to said cradle means in either direction, a segmental member secured to said cradle means, land tilt chain means :anchored to said table body Iand to said door-mounted base and cooperable with said segmental member to effect turning movement of said cradle means responsively to the :aforesaid translational movement of said table body relative to said cradle means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,534,623 Pitts et al Dec. 19, 1950 2,692,173 LoWitZsCh Oct. 19, 1954 2,701,744 Koerner etal. i Feb. 8, 1955 2,799,542 Rfaska et al July 16, 1957 2,816,806 Zaalberg Dec. 17', 1957 ,2,854,302 Haupt i sept. `30, 195s 2,881,038 Gerneth Apr. 7, 1959 

1. AN X-RAY TILT TABLE COMPRISING A FIXED FLOOR-MOUNTED BASE HAVING SPACED-APART VERTICAL STANDARDS; A CRADLE MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID STANDARDS FOR ROTARY MOVEMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID CRADLE MEANS HAVING SPACED-APART VERTICAL-PLANE CRADLE MEMBERS JOURNALED AT THEIR ONE END TO THE UPPERMOST ENDS OF SAID STANDARDS, RESPECTIVELY, AND A CONNECTING CRADLE MEMBER EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY BETWEEN AND RIGIDLY SECURED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID VERTICAL-PLANE CRADLE MEMBERS, ONE OF SAID VERTICAL PLANE CRADLE MEMBERS BEING A T-SHAPED CRADLE MEMBER HAVING CRADLE ARMS EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY OF SAID HORIZONTAL AXIS AT OPPOSITE SIDES, RESPECTIVELY, AND THE OTHER OF SAID VERTICAL-PLANE CRADLE MEMBERS BEING A SEGMENTAL CRADLE MEMBER HAVING A FRUSTRATED STRAIGHT-EDGE CRADLE PORTION PARALLEL TO AND ALIGNED WITH THE ARMS OF SAID TSHAPED CRADLE MEMBER AND A CIRCULAR-EDGE CRADLE PORTION EXTENDING THEREFROM IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFORESAID CONNECTING CRADLE MEMBER; ROTARY BEARING MEANS AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID CRADLE ARMS AND OF SAID STRAIGHT-EDGE CRADLE PORTION; AN X-RAY TABLE BODY DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID VERTICAL-PLANE CRADLE MEMBERS IN LONGITUDIANLLY-ROLLABLE LONGITUDINALLY-SPACED-APART SUPPORT ALONG ITS FRONT AND BACK BY SAID ROTARY BEARING MEANS; MOTORIZED CHAIN DRIVING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CONNECTING CRADLE MEMBER; A PAIR OF TRANSLATION SPROCKET WHEELS AT EACH END OF SAID TABLE BODY SECURED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF A RESPECTIVE SHAFT PASSING TRANSVERSELY THROUGH SAID TABLE BODY ADJACENT TO ITS TOP SURFACE; A FIRST TRANSLATION CHAIN AT THE REAR OF SAID TABLE BODY ANCHORED TO SAID SEGMENTAL CRADLE MEMBER TO FORM OPPOSITE LOOPS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG SAID TABLE BODY AROUND RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID TRANSLATION 